Bird Species

Bird watching is enjoyed by millions around the globe, and here in the Yuma region its popularity is soaring (pun intended).

The Imperial National Wildlife Refuge, Kofa's Palm Canyon, Betty's Kitchen Wildlife and Interpretive Area, and Cibola National Wildlife Refuge offer diverse and picturesque terrain that attract over 380 species of birds. Habitats vary from aquatic river, lake and marsh environments to terrestrial uplands with broad sandy plains, rocky foothills and desert mountain peaks. Hundreds of species of birds winter in this region, while countless others make it their home year round. Birding can be casually enjoyed along the banks of the Colorado River, either by foot or boat. Egrets and herons are commonly seen, as are migrating shorebirds and waterfowl. For the more adventurous, a day of hiking in Palm Canyon can bring into view shrikes, three species of wrens, white-collared swifts performing their acrobatics in the narrow canyon, and high above, red-tail hawks or a golden eagle occasionally soar into view.

Cibola National Wildlife Refuge has established the Canada Goose Drive, a four mile drive offering close views of wintering waterfowl, especially Canadian geese, as well as great looks at sandhill cranes. Betty's Kitchen provides a site for easy viewing (especially migrating warblers) while taking a comfortable walk along a well maintained trail.

The Imperial National Wildlife Refuge consists of approximately 25,000 acres along the lower Colorado River, and is an important wintering area to Canadian geese and many species of ducks.

For information, contact:
Bureau of Land Management's Yuma Field Office
2555 Gila Ridge Road
Yuma, AZ 85365

Local Attractions

Yuma Crossing State Historic Park

201 North 4th Avenue (928) 329-0471

The Quartermaster Depot was authorized by Congress in 1865 and served the entire southwest as a material transfer and distribution point for troops stationed at the outposts of the Arizona Territory.

The Park features the original Depot, an early adobe house, stagecoaches, mule wagons, a steam train, an historic adobe corral and a Visitor Center.

Yuma Landing

195 South 4th Avenue (928) 782-7427

The first plane to land on Arizona soil dropped out of the sky into a ball park between 1st and 3rd Streets on 4th Avenue, October 25, 1911.

Robert G. "Bob" Fowler was flying a Wright model B, 30-hp two-prop-biplane. He landed in Yuma during a history making flight that began in Santa Monica, CA and ended by rolling the wheels of his biplane into the Atlantic surf in Miami, FL.

There is a monument acknowledging the first flight into Yuma, AZ, at the Yuma Landing Restaurant, as well as a pictorial display on the history of Yuma.

Saint Thomas Mission

Fort Yuma Indian Reservation, Winterhaven, CA. (760) 572-0283

Built on the grounds of the original Mission founded by Father Garces in 1780. The Mission is a reminder of the long history of the Quechan Indian Nation and Yuma.

The present Catholic Mission Church built in 1922 still holds services on Saturday at 4:30 pm and on Sunday at 10:30 am Arizona time.

Yuma Territorial Prison State Park

Giss Pkwy & Prison Hill Rd. (928) 783-4771

Between 1876 and 1909, this penitentiary housed many of Arizona's most dangerous and notorious criminals. Famed in literature, movies and television, the remains of the prison are now Arizona's most visited State Historic Park. The cells, main gate and guard tower have endured as grim reminders of frontier justice. Museum exhibits document the story of the prison.

Open: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., every day except Christmas.

Favorite Links

The Yuma Regional Medical Center
http://www.yumaregional.org

Arizona Western College
http://www.awc.cc.az.us/

Yuma Convention Center & Visitor Bureau
http://www.visityuma.com